Delicious perfumes deserve much more appreciation than they usually get. Once seen as too sweet, overly feminine, or immature, the best gourmand fragrances have since grown and changed. “The trend started over two years ago, and we haven’t seen it slow down,” says Autumne West, Nordstrom’s national beauty director. “We’re also seeing a rise in lavender, which some might think of as floral, but it’s also a gourmand when we think of lavender-flavored foods.”
The move toward more complex scents is clear in how fragrance brands are reworking gourmand notes. Today’s top-selling perfumes use unexpected ingredients to create a more refined result. Delphine Jelk, Guerlain’s in-house perfumer, credits this change to a growing desire for more elegant blends. “Gourmands have become more sophisticated and less childish,” Jelk tells Vogue. While vanilla is still a staple, she points out that “honey, nutty, and milk fragrances” are becoming popular, and “mouthwatering fruity notes” are also in demand.
Vogue’s Favorite Gourmand Perfumes:
– Best Skin Scent Vanilla: Henry Rose Dave Eau de Parfum, $120
– Best Licorice: Dior la Collection Privée Eau Noire Eau de Parfum, $350
– Best Spicy Vanilla: Parfums de Marly Althair Eau de Parfum, $365
– Best Sugared Latte: Maison Margiela Replica Coffee Break Eau de Toilette, $165
– Best Fruity Gourmand: Guerlain Pêche Mirage Eau de Parfum, $445
– Best Cereal Milk: Dedcool Mochi Milk Eau de Parfum, $90
– Best Boozy: Kilian Angels’ Share Fragrance, $255
Aymar de Chergé, vice president of marketing for Parfums de Marly and Initio Parfums Privés, confirms that today’s gourmand fragrances are increasingly moving toward unisex or gender-neutral options. He says, “There’s a greater push toward unisex or gender-neutral gourmands, which focus on more universal themes of indulgence and comfort rather than leaning into traditionally feminine or masculine qualities.”
Indulgent, food-inspired fragrances are here to stay. “Gourmands have surged as fragrance lovers are adding more to their personal collections and not just wearing one signature scent,” notes Linda Levy, president of The Fragrance Foundation. She also credits their rise to their ability to bring back nostalgia and comfort.
That emotional connection is something Stacey Younge, a licensed clinical social worker and founder of Sixth Street Wellness, sees firsthand. She explains that scent plays a powerful role in memory and emotional regulation, which may be why gourmands are resonating so deeply right now. “Familiar scents bring calm and comforting memories,” Younge tells Vogue. In particular, she notes that chocolate, vanilla, and coffee notes tend to be linked with pleasure, childhood memories, and feelings of safety.
The new era of gourmands celebrates the close link between food, fragrance, and nostalgia in a more refined way. Today’s gourmands aren’t just about vanilla and caramel. They mix richness with complexity, adding surprising elements like saffron, cardamom, ginger, and even smoky or nutty notes to create depth. “Gourmand doesn’t have to be the body spray you wore back in junior high. Now, it’s sophisticated, sexy, and grown up,” West says.
Ahead, Vogue’s guide to the best gourmand scents, from classic sweets to spice-forward aromatics—plus, how to pick the right one for you.
In This Story
– What is a gourmand perfume?
– How to Choose a Gourmand Perfume
– How We Tested
– Meet the Experts
Best Licorice: Dior La Collection Privée Eau Noire Eau de Parfum
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Dior Eau Noire Eau de Parfum, $350
Why We Love It: Eau Noire was La Collection Privée’s first fragrance launch—giving gourmands a mysterious edge. Dark licorice contrasts with resinous, sweet lavender honey for a delicious scent that feels sophisticated rather than youthful. Meanwhile, myrrh adds even more depth to the overall fragrance profile.
Key Notes: Thyme, sage, lavender honey, coffee, immortelle, Virginia cedar, saffron.This Smells Like: The chic, single aunt who works in fashion.
Best Powdery: Matiere Premiere Vanilla Powder Extrait
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Matiere Premiere
Vanilla Powder Extrait
$320 NORDSTROM
Why We Love It: This is a stronger version of one of Matiere Premiere’s most popular scents, Vanilla Powder. As an extrait, it lasts a long time. Founder and perfumer Aurélien Guichard aimed to mix white powders with intense vanilla. The star here is Venezuelan tonka bean (also known as vanilla) absolute, balanced with palo santo, white musk, and creamy coconut powder. The result is a soft, slightly musky scent.
Editor’s Experience: “When I first sprayed this, several coworkers asked what the amazing smell was. It was Vanilla Powder Extrait—this perfume gets a lot of compliments. It’s a cool girl’s powder scent, not overly sweet, but still smells delicious.” —C.C.
Key Notes: Coconut powder, Madagascar vanilla absolute, Venezuelan tonka bean, palo santo, white musk
This Smells Like: Not your grandma’s powdery perfume—your cool older sister.
Best Fruity Gourmand: Guerlain Pêche Mirage Eau de Parfum
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Guerlain
Pêche Mirage Eau de Parfum
$425 SAKS FIFTH AVENUE
Why We Love It: Guerlain has perfected modern gourmand scents, with viral hits like Tobacco Honey, and Pêche Mirage is no different. This fragrance explores peach in all its forms, from sweet to sensual. Guerlain’s in-house perfumer, Delphine Jelk, explains that mixing peach with iris and saffron creates a leather-like note, adding depth and richness. “The contrast of peach and leather works because peach is both juicy and addictive, bringing back childhood memories while also feeling very sexy and sensual,” she says. This is for someone who wants a fragrance that feels both familiar and unexpected, and makes a bold statement.
Key Notes: Peach, blackcurrant, saffron, osmanthus, amber, leather, sandalwood
This Smells Like: A fruity floral that feels both familiar and surprising.
Best Cereal Milk: Dedcool Mochi Milk Eau de Parfum
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DedCool
Mochi Milk
$90 FREE PEOPLE
Why We Love It: Dedcool is one of those Gen Z brands that has figured out how to go viral—and Mochi Milk is a top seller. The perfume’s strength is in its subtlety—it’s sweet like the milk left after cereal, not like a fresh baked dessert. Instead of loading up on ambroxan or vanilla, it gets its gentle sweetness from marshmallow and peach nectar (with a hint of vanilla and amber too). As it settles, Australian sandalwood comes through, and white musk adds contrast, while marshmallow still lingers. It’s a perfume that whispers rather than shouts.
Editor’s Experience: “One of my longtime friends at Vogue, Molly Barstein, introduced me to Dedcool’s Mochi Milk. When I hugged her after a holiday break, I caught a faint, airy sweet scent and knew I had to try it. I use Mochi Milk as an everyday perfume or one of my favorite layering scents. Plus, I love that the spray is a super fine continuous mist, not a heavy spritz.” —C.C.
Key Notes: Marshmallow, peach nectar, incense, rice milk, vanilla bean, jasmine, Australian sandalwood, amber, white musk
This Smells Like: The light, airy sweetness of leftover milk after finishing your favorite cereal.
Best Unique: Dries Van Noten Soie Malaquais Refillable Eau de Parfum
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Dries Van Noten
Soie Malaquais Refillable Eau de Parfum
$400 NORDSTROM
Why We Love It: Dries Van Noten’s Soie Malaquais is more than just a pretty bottle. Inspired by the fashion house’s silk dresses, master perfumer Marie Salamagne created a scent that feels like a second skin. She highlights silk as a key note, layering it with nutty chestnut, rich cocoa, and tart black currant for a moody contrast, while hints of rose and bergamot give the fragrance a soft, elegant touch.Once a subtle, fresh lift. The effect is smooth, intimate, and gently sweet.
Notes: Bergamot, black currant, rose, silk, chestnut, cocoa.
This smells like: A mix of sweet, slightly tart, and silky.
Best Sugared Latte: Maison Margiela Replica Coffee Break Eau de Toilette
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Maison Margiela
Replica Coffee Break Eau de Toilette
$165 NORDSTROM
Why We Love It: Maison Margiela’s fragrances are all about capturing shared memories. Each scent reflects a unique moment, using smell to take you back to a specific time. Coffee Break recreates that quiet, cozy, and flavorful feeling of sipping a creamy coffee on a cold winter day. Breathe in, and let the warm notes of coffee and red apple, soothing lavender, and rich sandalwood gently surround you. The scent starts with a syrupy coffee note, but a hint of spearmint adds a twist—suddenly, you’re in a snug café, feeling the warmth of the mug in your hands. Oops, there’s a little cream on your upper lip, dear.
Key Notes: Coffee accord, red apple accord, lemon essence, lavender essence, spearmint essence, orange flower absolute, milk mousse accord, sandalwood essence, cedarwood essence.
This smells like: A lavender latte.
Size: 3 oz.
Best Ethereal: Liis Celestial Object Eau de Parfum
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Liis
Celestial Object
$175 REVOLVE
$175 LIIS
Why We Love It: Liis’s Celestial Object sits somewhere between a gourmand and a woody aromatic. The subtle sweetness comes from ripe quince, resinous labdanum, and rice paper, which adds a powdery lightness. Meanwhile, incense and pink pepper give it an extra kick. Yes, there’s tonka bean as a base note, but this is far from a vanilla-heavy scent.
Editor’s Experience: “I don’t see Celestial Object as just a gourmand, because it stands out in its originality. Let’s be clear, tonka bean isn’t the main focus. For starters, quince really does add a sparkling, starry quality (like tiny seltzer bubbles), balanced by the softest, barely-there powderiness. It’s also a fairly gentle perfume—I can spray it generously without overwhelming those around me. Plus, the incense here is completely understated. It’s lovely in a dreamy, otherworldly way.” —CC
Key Notes: Quince, pink pepper, almond, rice paper, incense, tonka bean, labdanum
This smells like: Ethereal, sparkling, and fresh.
Best Boozy: Kilian Paris Angels’ Share Fragrance
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Kilian
Angels’ Share Fragrance
$275 NORDSTROM
Why We Love It: The French cognac heir honors his family’s heritage with this boozy elixir, paying tribute to “la part des anges” or “angels’ share”—the portion of liquor that naturally evaporates from oak barrels during aging, rising into the air over time. Even the bottle nods to the Hennessy family, designed to look like a stylish crystal rocks glass. Best of all, this perfume is notably long-lasting and projects well, lingering on clothes for up to 12 hours.*
Editor’s Experience: “I got this scent as a Christmas gift years ago, and it’s one I always reach for in colder months. Utterly cozy, it’s the perfect mix of sweet and spice that leaves a lovely scent trail. This perfume gets tons of compliments, and it stays on my clothes for days. I enjoy the occasional glass of whiskey, so I find the bottle adds a charming touch.” —C.C.
Key Notes: Cognac oil, oak absolute, cinnamon essence, tonka bean absolute, sandalwood, praline, vanilla extract
This smells like: Warm, sweet, and boozy.
Best Smoky: Loewe Roasted Vanilla Eau de Parfum
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Loewe
Roasted Vanilla Eau de Parfum
Shop at NET-A-PORTER
Why We Love It: Loewe’s gourmand leans more woody at first spray, with vanilla as an accent rather than the main note. There’s also a clear smoky quality, one that British Vogue’s senior beauty and wellness editor Morgan Fargo compared to “that of an ember rather than a”Picture this: a dimly lit jazz club—more fire pit than smoking area. As the scent settles, vanilla becomes more noticeable, adding a creamy touch.
Key Notes: Pink pepper, elemi oil, rose, oakwood, davana oil, ylang heart, vanilla tincture, amber, benzoin resinoid.
This Smells Like: Freshly fire-roasted almonds, lightly dusted with sugar.
Best Spicy Vanilla: Parfums de Marly Althaïr Eau de Parfum
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Parfums de Marly
Althair Eau de Parfum
$365 BLUEMERCURY
Why We Love It: Vanilla scents often lean feminine, but this one centers on bourbon vanilla and adds depth with warm spices like cinnamon and cardamom. A top note of bergamot brings freshness and makes it easy to wear, while the gourmand praline base balances everything with warmth and energy. It’s just as compelling on your skin as it is in the bottle—a captivating mix of sweetness, spice, and sophistication.
Key Notes: Orange blossom, bergamot, cinnamon, bourbon vanilla, elemi, guaiacwood, ambrox, praline, musk
This Smells Like: An ambery vanilla with a woody finish.
Size: 4.2 oz
Best Resinous: Carolina Herrera Good Girl Jasmine Absolute Eau de Parfum
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Carolina Herrera
Good Girl Jasmine Absolute Eau de Parfum
$107 CAROLINA HERRERA
Why We Love It: Carolina Herrera doesn’t often go for rich gourmands over pure florals. Good Girl Jasmine Absolute is about as resinous as the brand gets, pairing bitter almond with roasted tonka bean. There are fruity hints too, from tart black currant and a touch of citrus. But the real stars are jasmine and toffee—they leave a lingering, intoxicating trail.
Notes: Mandarin, black currant accord, jasmine, bitter almond, caramelized toffee, roasted tonka bean.
This Smells Like: A bag of toffee bark.
Best Nutty: D.S & Durga Pistachio Eau de Parfum
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D.S. & Durga
Pistachio Eau de Parfum
$210 NORDSTROM
$210 BLUEMERCURY
Why We Love It: Pistachio might not be the first note you’d expect in a fragrance, but D.S. & Durga shows how addictive it can be. This is a sweet scent, but in a mature way. It balances nutty warmth with creamy sweetness, and has a light, airy feel that keeps it from being too heavy. The first spray wraps you in pistachio, then unfolds into a nutty, herbal, and deliciously sweet aroma. It started as a limited-edition Studio Juice with only 100 bottles, but its quick popularity made it a permanent part of the collection. Bold yet effortless, it has a rich, earthy undertone that adds depth to the sweetness. It’s the kind of fragrance that lingers softly and draws people in without trying too hard.
Key Notes: Pistachio, cardamom, roasted almond, patchouli, vanilla crème
This Smells Like: A vanilla sundae topped with plenty of pistachios.
Best Skin Scent Vanilla: Henry Rose Dave Eau de Parfum
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Henry Rose
Dave
$120 CREDO BEAUTY
$120 HENRY ROSE
Why We Love It: Michelle Pfeiffer’s niche fragrance brand, Henry Rose, is known for clean, non-toxic ingredients and affordable prices that don’t compromise on quality. Among their lineup, Dave eau de parfum—named after Pfeiffer’s husband, who loves when she wears vanilla-based scents—is a warm, skin-hugging vanilla. What makes it feel grown-up is the blend of neroli, fresh cocoa shells, sharp pink peppercorn, and a few soothing white blooms. This scent is definitely indulgent, but in a subtle, seductive way.
Editor’s Experience: “For a fragrance with a plain name, this is an outstanding gourmand. It’s not wildly different or unexpected, just really well done for its type. When I first tried it in the beauty closet back in January 2025, everyone nearby gave it approving nods. There’s something about Dave that feels cozy and close to the skin.”Most vanilla-forward scents, without slipping into what FragranceTok critics call “synthetic ambroxan slop.” Of all my gourmand-leaning perfumes, I definitely find Dave the most comforting.” —C.C.
Key Notes: Tangerine heart, neroli, pink pepper, lavandin, orange flower, almond blossom, vanilla bean chantilly, cocoa shell, tonka bean
This Smells Like: Enjoying a sweet treat while wearing a light, sheer cashmere top.
Everything You Need to Know
What is a gourmand perfume?
A gourmand fragrance focuses on sweet, indulgent, and edible notes, often reminding you of food or dessert. Autumne West, Nordstrom’s national beauty director, says, “they are scents based on what you eat or what you cook with.” The new gourmands are leaning into the latter, exploring depth with spices like cardamom and ginger. Similar to fine foods or upscale dining, luxury fragrance houses are using premium ingredients, like saffron, to craft unique, indulgent scents. “While vanilla seems to be the star, it’s the unique pairings that stand out. Think of your favorite gourmand plus a woody or floral note,” she adds.
How to Choose a Gourmand Perfume
Choosing the best gourmand fragrance doesn’t have to be hard. “If you enjoy rich, decadent desserts, look for fragrances with notes of vanilla, praline, or chocolate. If you want a gourmand that’s softer and less sweet, consider something with tonka or coffee bean,” says de Chergé. West also suggests starting with a single food you love. She says, “Maybe you love the scent of vanilla cake or a lavender latte, and from there you can explore and discover fragrances with those notes.”
Jelk takes a less structured approach, recommending that you “let your inner child make the choice.” More people are turning to gourmands because they offer comfort and a sense of safety. “It’s like the little candy you got from your Granny as a kid,” Jelk explains. She adds, “In French, we say, ‘Un peu de douceur dans ce monde de brut,’ which means ‘a little sweetness in this brutal world.'”
How We Tested
When we test and review a product, we take a full approach to give well-rounded recommendations. First, we rely on Vogue’s wide network of experts—fragrance specialists—to get professional insight on the standout products, ones they would actually use on their clients. We combine their expertise with our editorial standards to create the thoughtful lists you see on our site.
For gourmand perfumes, we picked the best based on these traits: notes, projection, and wear time. To do this, we paired our own testing of each formula with expert advice and reviewer feedback to decide which ones we’d recommend to you.
Meet the Experts
Aymar de Chergé is the vice president of marketing for Parfums de Marly and Initio Parfums Privés.
Delphine Jelk is Guerlain’s in-house master perfumer.
Autumne West is Nordstrom’s national beauty director.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about gourmand fragrances designed to answer both beginner and advanced questions
Beginner Questions
1 What exactly is a gourmand fragrance
A gourmand fragrance is a perfume that smells like food or dessert Think vanilla chocolate caramel honey coffee or even fruity notes like berries They are designed to be delicious and comforting like a sweet treat you can wear
2 What is the difference between a gourmand and a sweet perfume
All gourmands are sweet but not all sweet perfumes are gourmands A sweet perfume might smell like candy or sugar with a floral or fruity twist A true gourmand specifically mimics a reallife food or dessert like a vanilla bean a slice of cake or a cup of coffee
3 Are gourmand perfumes only for women
Absolutely not While they are very popular with women gourmand scents are unisex Many mens fragrances feature notes like vanilla tonka bean or coffee Its all about finding a blend that suits your personal taste regardless of gender
4 Are gourmand fragrances too strong or childish
They can be but it depends on the specific perfume Cheaply made gourmands can smell like candy or air freshener However highquality niche gourmands are often complex using spicy smoky or woody notes to balance the sweetness making them sophisticated and mature
5 When is the best time to wear a gourmand fragrance
Gourmands are incredibly versatile Light fruity gourmands are great for summer days Rich vanillabased ones are perfect for fall and winter as they feel cozy and warm They are also fantastic for evening wear and date nights because they are intimate and inviting
Advanced Practical Questions
6 Why do some gourmand perfumes smell like playdoh or plastic on my skin
This is usually due to a high concentration of vanilla or synthetic musk These notes can sometimes turn powdery or plasticky when they react with your unique body chemistry To avoid this look for fragrances that use bourbon vanilla or add contrasting notes like citrus spices or woods to keep it from going flat